Baybreeze returns with bluegrass

Tidewater will play bluegrass-inspired music under the gazebo at McKenzie Park in downtown Panama City during the Baybreeze Concert Series on Aug. 15.

Special to The News Herald

By Jan Waddy / panamacity.com

Published: Wednesday, August 14, 2013 at 09:43 AM.

PANAMA CITY — The Baybreeze Concert Series returns Aug. 15 with bluegrass music and old-fashioned family fun.

The free series, on the third Thursday of each month from May through October, features local musicians at McKenzie Park.

“A lot of people who attend this event always tell me how much they enjoy it either while I am there at the event, or they will call the following week,” said Angela Segers, Events and Social Media coordinator for the Panama City Downtown Improvement Board. “They like the relaxing atmosphere and the great music.”

The main entrance and fountain to the park, which is illuminated at night, is on Harrison Avenue. Shaded by oak trees, the park features a large gazebo which becomes a stage for musicians.

Tidewater, a six member acoustic band, is rooted in bluegrass, but expect them to sprinkle in anything from Count Basie to Santana on Thursday. The core group has been together for 15 years, with members ranging professionally from helicopter mechanic to doctor. The multitalented lead vocalist is Leslie Perdue, but everyone sings.

Baybreeze vendors include Tom’s Hot Dogs, the Sippin’ Lemon lemonade booth and Smudge My Art with Magda Bernard. Bernard will have her tent set up for face painting, as well as mini paint-and-take lessons for $10 (includes canvas and supplies).

“We’re right in the middle of everything,” Bernard said. “People can come and go as they please. They don’t have to start at the beginning of the night, but can go listen to music first or come and go. I can pick up instruction where I left off.”

PANAMA CITY — The Baybreeze Concert Series returns Aug. 15 with bluegrass music and old-fashioned family fun.

The free series, on the third Thursday of each month from May through October, features local musicians at McKenzie Park.

“A lot of people who attend this event always tell me how much they enjoy it either while I am there at the event, or they will call the following week,” said Angela Segers, Events and Social Media coordinator for the Panama City Downtown Improvement Board. “They like the relaxing atmosphere and the great music.”

The main entrance and fountain to the park, which is illuminated at night, is on Harrison Avenue. Shaded by oak trees, the park features a large gazebo which becomes a stage for musicians.

Tidewater, a six member acoustic band, is rooted in bluegrass, but expect them to sprinkle in anything from Count Basie to Santana on Thursday. The core group has been together for 15 years, with members ranging professionally from helicopter mechanic to doctor. The multitalented lead vocalist is Leslie Perdue, but everyone sings.

Baybreeze vendors include Tom’s Hot Dogs, the Sippin’ Lemon lemonade booth and Smudge My Art with Magda Bernard. Bernard will have her tent set up for face painting, as well as mini paint-and-take lessons for $10 (includes canvas and supplies).

“We’re right in the middle of everything,” Bernard said. “People can come and go as they please. They don’t have to start at the beginning of the night, but can go listen to music first or come and go. I can pick up instruction where I left off.”

On Aug. 15, painters will be using her anchor painting as an example for their mini masterpieces on 9-by-12-inch canvases.

“Everybody’s just chill and laid back there,” said Bernard, who was at Baybreeze for the June concert. “I had four or five kids there getting their faces painted.”

When she sets up for face painting during Friday Fest, children have waited in line for up to an hour.

“Girls usually want anything butterfly or princess, and boys want to be a pirate, Batman or a lion,” Bernard added.